News

20 years IP protection in Europe – 20 years of OHIM

1 December 2014

On November 17th 2014 OHIM celebrated 20 years of its establishment as an organization protecting the intellectual property rights in Europe. A significant improvement has been achieved in the European IP law, since a decentralized agency of the European Union, was set up in Alicante, Spain back in 1994.

The event was solemnly celebrated and chosen guests were invited to be part of the celebration. Amongst the invited was the former Deputy Chairman of the OHIM Budget committee and Representative at Administrative Board and Budget Committee at OHIM – Mr. Kostadin Manev. His valuable work in the field of trademark protection is part of the great advancement of the trademark system in Europe and he was glad to be part of the event ivited by the president of OHIM - Mr. Antonio Campinos.

The president of EPO – Mr. Benoit Battistelli who also attended the celebration pointed out: “I think it is fair to say that the celebrations at the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market, in Alicante, illustrated their impressive results in only two decades. OHIM’s geographical coverage has developed in parallel to the growth of the EU: from just 12 member states in 1994 to some 28 today.”